hoddi Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Hey everyone, long time no chat, I know.I sent a mix off to soho and surprisingly found out I am one of their 36 finalists in their dj comp. I am playing this friday night sometime between 8 and 10 (not sure yet) and have no idea what to think. I have never played in a club let alone been in a club! Any 1st time tips would be amazing because I don't really know where to start. It's only a 20 minute set so any advice on what they will be looking for/what the environment will be like/music I should play/anything else you can think of would be amazing.Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 The things that will make you stand out:-Song selection (songs that mix well + playing to time slot & the crowd)-Technical mixing skills (you have this already)-Crowd response (i.e. bringing friends)We can help with the first one mostly.Being a DJ comp, song selection will be a combination of following on from the last DJ correctly, while still being aware of your time slot (e.g. If it's 9pm and the person before you is playing bangers, I probably wouldn't continue doing that).Equip yourself with a mixture of music, from deep house -> tech house -> house -> electro, so that you're prepared for any situation that may arise. I wouldn't bother "pre-planning" a mix - the judges will likely be able to tell. Learn these tracks before you go. Then when you will be properly equipped Key points:-Have fun-Bring lots of friends-Meet with the promoter / event organiser before & after the event to get yourself known Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoddi Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 How come don't prepare a mix? Maybe I will just look really good haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupe Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 I would prepare a set definitely. And practise it all week.Get it down-pat as fuck just like the DMC guys do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OxyKon Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 How come don't prepare a mix? Maybe I will just look really good hahaIt's always best to go with the flow because at these sorts of events you have no idea what will happen, practice all the tracks you can because the person/people before you may end up playing the same tracks you had planned, no one wants to hear the same tracks twice that said, it doesn't hurt to have a a set planned out, but if someone does play the tracks you had lined up, have some backups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoddi Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Yea although there would be less people and I would have to play more chill stuff, I would be happy to go first because I don't have to transition into anyone else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattus123 Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 i think for a 20 min competition it is ok to pre plan a set, but defiently go in prepared to not play it, (if you set doesnt match the time slot, or if ur set contains a track thats already been played 3 times)as mitch said before, if the person before u is dropping LRAD at 9pm, DO NOT continue on from that, bring it back down to something more suitable. Having recently judged a DJ comp, this was one of the things DJs were marked down for.Definetly bring alot of support, and make sure they all dance and shit when ur playing. Unfortunetly it wont look good to the judges if the 50 friends that you brought are all just standing on the side.The other one is acting the part: make eye contact with the crowd, get into it behind hte decks. this doesnt mean u have to be fist pumping and all that bullshit, but show confidence and enthusiasm behind the decksHave u messaged the guys at soho about the judging criteria? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SolDios Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 With my comp sets I usually have it pre-planed, but have songs to swap in on the time. Id deffs try to bring friends in, usually clubs are empty between 8 and 10. (In Adelaide anyway)Also try set yourself a vibe that makes your sets stand out. E.g. when I played chilled sets all the track have a deep bassy vibe like this:Getting yourself noticed is key.Also in the ones I have been in they do an announcement for who's up next, so your not transitioning into the last persons track. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggssell Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 never been in a club...didnt you turn 18 last yearAnyways. being on the flyer! Thats awesome good luck w it mate hope you smash it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupe Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Her recent bday thread was her 18th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoddi Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 never been in a club...didnt you turn 18 last yearnah I turned 18 two days ago hahathis is my track list as of now, not set in stone obviously - animal rights - deadmau5lights - ellie goulding ryan enzed remixelements - dinkamr right now - lucky katemy love will surround you - dinkai could be the one - ryan enzed remixno beef feels so close - joey beatz remixthe bad touch - bloodhound gang gigi borocco remixI've got a few repeated artists, tell me if this isn't ok, I just did it because I thought they went well, not sure if some songs are a bit heavy or not though Also I've got quite a few people saying they will come to hype up the place hopefully and to show the club people I can pull customers for them and also because I don't want to be wondering the cross by myself.I have been asking the guy I've been corresponding to about what time slot I'll be in and also what gear I'll be using but he hasn't replied, I feel like an annoying whinging kid haha oh wellHow would it go if I'm using my laptop but the person before/after is too? I don't know how this shit works Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyman Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Don't use a laptop unless you're playing live IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 I would avoid taking laptop and just use USB sticks.You'll most likely be on CDJ 2000s + DJM 800 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupe Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 You should be given time to swap and setup, i doubt it would be a straight back to back set for 30-something odd people Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoddi Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Ok, I'm not used to USBs but oh well. Cupe they are splitting everyone up over 8 weeks, lucky me just got chosen to go first week which sucks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoddi Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Don't use a laptop unless you're playing live IMO.What do u mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OxyKon Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 Don't use a laptop unless you're playing live IMO.What do u mean?He means like using a traktor controller or something similar, like a live performance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Posted August 26, 2013 Share Posted August 26, 2013 He means flume style. Not traditional DJing so to speak Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggssell Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 dont know exactly what the problem is w a laptop.not sure in the core scene as the only youngin' club ive been to in a minute has been the laundry (i wont count marquee because thats a pop club). and the last three times ive been to laundry in the last twelve months, every dj in every room for the whole night was using a laptop. i guess the only issue is some people associate laptops w new school dj's who may not know the fundamentals. so if they see you using it, judges may make that assumption. i dont know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eggssell Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 ALSO theres enuff adjf sydney youngins, the massive should go support hoddi!post the flyer up in the gig section yo.oh and so thats why you're too old for cupe now. hahahaso that party crundos toy copped was your 16th. lol i was sure that was your 17th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SolDios Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Yeah stay away from laptops, no matter what the device they will ALWAYS stuff up in those situatuions (Murphys law ect..)If you can beatmatch on your s1 even using the bpm displays you will be fine, the jog wheels arent THAT different from 2000's accept for being a bit bigger, but just use the rim and you wont tell the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoddi Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 I found out that we are playing individual sets not transitioning into the person before us so that is good and I think I will use my laptop with serato but I will also take USBs with the potential songs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoddi Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 I also asked about the songs we should use as in should it reflect the time we are playing or to play more upbeat stuff like it would be if he had a gig and he said play what you like playing. I'm not sure if he meant this or just didn't want to answer my question hahaI uploaded a mix but it got tken down for copyright on soundcloud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cupe Posted August 27, 2013 Share Posted August 27, 2013 Chuck 10 seconds of silence at the start and reup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoddi Posted August 27, 2013 Author Share Posted August 27, 2013 got it now, here it is, i know the beat matching if off in sections and not all the songs work exactly how i did them but its a rough start http://soundcloud.com/laurenhoddinott/practice-mix-1/s-5yQXl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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